Syndergaard's recent outings put Mets prospect's rough start in past

The Mets' top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard has rounded into form after a rocky start to his 2014 season.

Through his first five games with Triple-A Las Vegas, Syndergaard went 3-2 with a 5.04 ERA, alarming Mets brass and bringing up questions about his "attitude" on the mound, according to multiple reports.

Since then, however, he has been excellent, allowing one earned run over 122/3 innings in his last two starts.

Syndergaard didn't factor into the decision after striking out a season-high eight batters in 52/3 innings against Tacoma on Monday night.

The organization would still like to see the 6-foot-6 righty pitch deeper into games. The furthest he has pitched in a game in his young career is seven innings.

Rated the No. 11 prospect prior to the season by BaseballProspectus.com, Syndergaard must bide time until he is called up to Flushing.

"The ultimate goal is not to pitch in Triple-A, it's to pitch in the big leagues," Syndergaard said following his 6-1 win over Reno on April 30. "I feel like the way I pitched tonight, [I] can play at the big league level."

Syndergaard is now 4-2 with a 3.58 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 372/3 innings pitched this season.

He is likely to face Tacoma again on Saturday night, this time at home. The 21-year-old is still expected to join the Mets no sooner than this summer.